The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has assured Edolites in Diaspora that he and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, Esq., were committed to transforming the State into a model for other states in Nigeria.
With the Edo State Governorship Election scheduled for September 21, 2024, Ighodalo’s campaign appears poised to redefine the political landscape of the State, known as the ‘Heartbeat of the Nation’. According to a campaign statement, Ighodalo has been actively engaging with the people of Edo, presenting a vision for a state that works for all.
“There are close to 20 candidates vying for the position, but one candidate stands out. Dr. Asue Ighodalo has been tirelessly engaging with the people across Edo South, Edo North, and Edo Central, selling his vision for the state’s future,” the statement read.
Highlighting the campaign’s commitment to inclusivity, the statement detailed Ighodalo’s recent engagement with the Edo Diaspora community across Europe. From June 24 to June 29, 2024, Ighodalo held town hall meetings in five European cities, addressing halls filled to capacity.
Nosakhare Onaiwu, Deputy Diaspora Head of the Asue/Ogie movement, described these engagements as unprecedented and deeply informative.
“Ighodalo spoke passionately and clearly on various critical issues, from infrastructure to education, trade and investment, tourism and culture, security, healthcare, skill acquisition, job creation, agriculture, food security, and support for small businesses. He laid out a comprehensive vision for an Edo State that works for everyone,” Onaiwu stated.
A notable moment in Ighodalo’s European tour occurred in Reggio Emilia, Milan, Italy. Before a town-hall meeting, he addressed a Special NBA Business Forum virtually, discussing “Foreign Direct Investment: A Sure Way to Economic Stability and Investment Security.”
“Asue Ighodalo’s capacity to address issues of public policy and economic development is unparalleled. He committed to creating an enabling environment for investment in Edo State and assured the Diaspora community that their investments would be safe and secure,” the statement added.
With a background as a business expert and former chairman of several blue-chip companies, including Sterling Bank, Ighodalo emphasized that his gubernatorial bid is driven by a desire to serve and transform Edo State, not for personal gain. He urged the public to scrutinize his “Prosperity for All” manifesto and challenged them to hold him accountable for delivering on his promises.
“Asue Ighodalo’s ticket with Osarodion Ogie clearly outshines the competition. Their campaign is characterized by a commitment to competency, capacity, character, credibility, and the common good. They have engaged with communities, youth, the elderly, and women across all three senatorial zones and the Diaspora, demonstrating their dedication to fairness, equity, and justice,” Onaiwu concluded.
